US politicians have made little progress on legislation that would provide more than $7bn in healthcare for emergency workers and others who became ill after breathing in dust and toxic fumes at the site of the September 11 attacks.

A bill was approved by the US House of Representatives in September, but Republicans in the Senate have consistently blocked discussion because of a deadlock over tax-cut extensions.

Al Jazeera spoke to Richard Skinner, a former fire fighter who, as a volunteer with the Fire Chiefs Association, was one of those who responded to emergency calls at the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001.